Mention Doing vs. Mention To Do
Cambridge documents mention + -ing and mention + that-clause among its ordinary complementation patterns. “Mention something to someone” contains prepositional to before a recipient; that separate pattern should not be confused with a to-infinitive complement.
Use “mention doing” or a that-clause when briefly referring to an action or fact; a direct “mention to do” is not the documented equivalent.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| briefly refer to an action | mention + -ing | Use the documented -ing complement. |
| briefly state a fact or proposition | mention + that-clause | Use a that-clause when the content is a full proposition. |
| name the recipient of what is mentioned | mention something to someone | Here “to” is a preposition before the recipient, not an infinitive marker. |
| direct mention + to-infinitive as an interchangeable action complement | not established here | Do not substitute “mention to do” for the documented patterns. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you briefly referring to an action after “mention”?
If yes: Use “mention + -ing.”
If no: If you are stating a full fact, use a that-clause; if “to” introduces a recipient, keep that separate pattern.
Caveat: This guide distinguishes the reviewed complement patterns; it does not claim that every occurrence of “mention” near the word “to” is ungrammatical.
Examples
She mentioned meeting the client earlier.
The -ing form names the action being briefly referred to.
He mentioned that the deadline had changed.
A that-clause states the fact being mentioned.
Please mention the schedule change to the team.
Here “to” introduces the recipient rather than a to-infinitive complement.
Further guidance
Boundary
“Mention something to someone” contains prepositional to before a recipient; that separate pattern should not be confused with a to-infinitive complement.
Construction
Cambridge documents mention + -ing and mention + that-clause among its ordinary complementation patterns.
Decision
Use “mention doing” or a that-clause when briefly referring to an action or fact; a direct “mention to do” is not the documented equivalent.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- mention — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Mention + -ing and that-clause patterns for briefly referring to an action or fact
- Verb patterns: verb + infinitive or verb + -ing? (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Verb-complement patterns, including verbs taking -ing, to-infinitive, or both with meaning differences